Rent vs buy

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National market update

Home Prices Rise in Some Metros, Buyers More Active in Other Areas

WASHINGTON, November 18, 2008 - Four out of five metropolitan areas recorded lower home prices in the third quarter from a year earlier, while existing-home sales fell in 32 states from the second quarter, according to the latest quarterly survey by the National Association of Realtors®. More...Read more

The Future for Home Prices

The title of this article is the same as one in today's Wall Street Journal (password required). The WSJ article raises questions about people's optimistic outlook on gaining wealth from their homes as being simply wishful thinking. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors, attempts in this corresponding article to lay out the same information - but in a different light. More...
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Curb Appeal Matters Now More Than Ever, Say Realtors®

WASHINGTON, December 02, 2008 - For the second year in a row, Realtors® report that exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost, as detailed in the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. More...
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Existing-Home Sales Soften on Economic Volatility

WASHINGTON, November 24, 2008 - Existing-home sales declined on the heels of a strong gain in September as uncertainty and economic concerns increased in October, according to the National Association of Realtors®. More...
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Housing Starts ()

New home sales ()

National economic indicators

Home ownership

3rd Qrt 08

3rd Qrt 07

New home sales

Sept 08

+2.7%

Aug 08

-12.6%

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Sales & Price Activity

Catherine Wintz

Home Ownership matters…to people, to communities, and to America. Why? • For every two homes sold, one job is created in the U.S. • Each purchase generates as much as $60,000 in economic activity over time. Read more

Buying is now cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities. Low home prices and “rock-bottom” interest rates as well as tax advantages of homeownership are the reasons why it’s now cheaper to BUY a 2-bdrm home than to rent one. Check out this CNN Money article with the details. Read more

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of Move,Inc.

Consumer tips & hot properties

Before You Apply for that Loan …

A strong financial history can be the key to securing a mortgage loan when buying a new home. Even if you can purchase a home with little or no money down, you still need a strong credit history to pay the balance. More...Read more

Don't Rule Out a Condo

Are you ready to make the move from renter to owner but aren't sure you’re prepared for the maintenance and responsibilities that come with owning a home? Consider purchasing a condominium. In the past, people chose condominiums as a viable option to homeownership because of their affordability. While that may not hold true in every market today, there is another factor you might want to consider: lifestyle choice. More...Read more

Know your Homeowners' Association

The home or condominium that you're thinking of buying may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). What benefits do they provide you? More...
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ForbesTraveler.com's Celebrates Christmas Around the World

ForbesTraveler.com reports Elves in Hawaiian shirts, Reindeer rodeo, Whale sashimi from the Arctic Circle to the Aloha State. It's the time of year to celebrate the multicultural mania inspired by the president-elect to bring you global Christmas traditions. ForbesTraveler.com brings it right to you in holiday party time from around the world in a slide show.View Slideshow

Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

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